Project Description:
With over 110,000 deaths in 2023, the rising opioid overdose epidemic in the United States has prompted an urgent need for accessible and cost-effective solutions to save lives outside of hospital settings. The number one cause of death from opioids is respiratory failure, and thus the best immediate treatment is to support respirations. This is performed by EMS using a Bag Valve Mask (BVM) when they arrive; however their typical response time ranges from 7 to 14 minutes. Although bystanders could save a person’s life by supporting respirations while awaiting EMS, safe use requires training. This project aims to develop an innovative adjunctive device to the widely available BVM that will empower families and non-EMTs to provide timely rescue breaths with proper volume and cadence. The device provides visual guide LEDs for the proper rate and depth of compressions, along with feedback LEDs synchronized with the user’s performance. An audio system is also included to provide coaching and feedback during device misuse. A pilot test involving the 6 designers showed an increase in user efficacy with improvements in breaths per minute and volume output when measured with a Michigan Test Lung. This solution holds promise in empowering untrained bystanders to deliver successful rescue breaths using a BVM, potentially revolutionizing the landscape of opioid overdose management and reducing mortality rates in affected communities.
